Manila: The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced that savings from reduced fuel and energy consumption are being redirected to provide logistical support to farmers and fishers. This initiative comes as a response to the increasing global oil prices, prompting national government agencies to intensify efforts in cutting down energy and transport costs.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. explained in an interview that the DA has adopted frugality within the agency, allowing them to reallocate funds towards the logistics needs of agricultural workers. Measures taken include minimizing the use of government vehicles across regional field offices and implementing flexible work arrangements.

To further support local farmers, the DA has deployed trucks, particularly in La Trinidad, Benguet, which serve as logistical support by transporting goods from vegetable farms to trading posts and markets. Tiu Laurel mentioned that DA teams are actively assessing logistical needs in mountain regions, preparing packages for potential fuel, fertilizer, and seed assistance to ensure continuous harvesting.

Additionally, the DA is exploring options and researching possible funding sources to provide targeted assistance for agricultural trucks throughout the country, ensuring uninterrupted delivery of products from mountain regions to markets.